CNG transportation in Kaduna has received presidential commendation after 100 buses recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in the scheme’s first year.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Kaduna State Government’s free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit scheme, describing it as an example of a practical intervention capable of reducing transportation costs for Nigerians.
The scheme, which operates 100 CNG-powered buses on major routes across Kaduna State, recorded about 3.2 million passenger trips and saved commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs during its first year, according to figures cited by the President.
Tinubu highlighted the Kaduna initiative in a post on his official X account, noting that it demonstrated how cheaper domestic energy could translate into direct relief for citizens.
“This is more of what we need to see at the subnational level,” the President said.
The commendation comes as the Federal Government and state governments intensify efforts to expand affordable CNG transportation under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.
Tinubu said the Federal Government and the 36 state governors agreed at a meeting on August 27 to work towards measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.
An implementation committee was subsequently established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and is chaired by Kwara State Governor and NGF Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The committee is working with the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles, state governments and other stakeholders to identify priority transport corridors and determine appropriate interventions.
The President has cited Kaduna alongside other states where alternative-energy transportation has already resulted in lower fares. In Enugu, for instance, Tinubu said the deployment of 100 CNG buses had reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500, while in Adamawa, alternative-energy transit services had reduced some fares by as much as 50 per cent.
Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue supporting the expansion of CNG infrastructure and vehicle-conversion capacity, while urging states to ensure that savings from cheaper energy are reflected in the fares paid by commuters.
He also said Nigeria’s domestic gas resources provide an opportunity to reduce exposure to international energy-price shocks and expand the use of alternative fuels for transportation.
Reacting to the President’s commendation, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to policies aimed at reducing the economic burden on residents.
Sani said the state’s free CNG mass transit scheme had become an important part of its response to the effects of petrol subsidy removal, with workers, traders, students and other residents benefiting from fare-free transportation on designated routes.
He said Kaduna would sustain the initiative while continuing to pursue interventions in education, vocational training, skills development, economic inclusion and human capital development.
The Federal Government’s broader CNG programme is intended to expand access to cheaper and cleaner energy-powered transportation and ensure that more Nigerians benefit from lower commuting costs.
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